Photos: Kenneth Sims Overcomes Batyr Akhmedov, Gets Decision in War

Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas - In a WBA super lightweight eliminator, Kenneth Sims (20-2-1, 7 KOs) edged Batyr Akhmedov (9-3, 8 KOs) with a twelve round majority decision. (photos by Esther Lin)

The scores were 114-114, 115-113 and 116-112.

Akhmedov came out with a lot of pressure in the first, Sims' was boxing well and shooting accurate punches. Akhmedov continued to pressure and was landing well in the second, but Sims was winning the exchanges in close. The third had Akhmedov picking up the pace and landing more often with solid shots to the head and body.

Akhmedov continued to surge in the fourth round of some close paced action. Sims was countering well when they exchanged. The fifth was close, with both having their moments. Akhmedov was really banging away at the body in the sixth. He was forcing Sims to fight at a much higher pace than usual. 

In the seventh, it was back and forth action with the two boxers trading in close with a lot of punches being thrown. Sims was able to do better in the eight when he created distance and began to land straight punches. The ninth saw more back and forth action, with each boxer landing solid shots at close range. Sims had a big rally in the closing seconds.

Sims came out firing in the tenth and was pushing the pace. Akhmedov stayed in close to trade away with punches of his own. The right eye of Sims was swelling up, but he was still doing more damage in the round. In the eleventh, it was Akhmedov who came out firing and landing a big arsenal of punches. The right eye of Sims was swelling shut at this point.

In the twelfth and final round, Akhmedov was landing heavy punches more often on Sims and banging away at the body as well. The right eye of Sims was fully closed shut. Sims rallied with punches in the final thirty seconds, but Akhmedov continued to come and throw more leather.